Appakatus



15, 1952 c, v, RICHEY 2,603,333

COIN COLLECTION AND REGISTERING APPARATUS I Filed June 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 0 CHARLES V. RICHEY Fly? y mwz/fmq ATTORNEYS 7 y 15, 1952 c. v. RICHEY 2,603,333

COIN COLLECTION AND REGISTERING APPARATUS Filed June 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 47g 57 I fie? 5 72 4 I a d I W WW1 32 a4 35 j I I: I: I l

5 32u :54 asu J 2 JNVENTOR. 'V////i/// A ba v/ m BY CHARLES v. RIOHEY ATTORN EYS July 15, 1952 c. v. RICHEY COIN COLLECTION AND REGISTERING APPARATUS '4 Sheets-.Sheei 4 Filed June 19, 1947 INVENTQR CHARLES V RICHEY ATTORNEYS er ization of the control circuits open a door in the chute so that the coin falls into a position from which it cannot be retrieved. Furthermore, as distinguished from prior apparatus, the coin chute comprises a rather long vertical section which terminates in a sharp bend gooseneck section beyond which the coin contacts are located so that itis practically impossible for a person to place a wire or other conductor through the coin slot to energize the control circuit.

One of the primary objects of the invention is to provide an im roved coin collecting mechanism which will be simple in structure and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide a coin collection A apparatus for operating a passageway control mechanism of the type described which enables eificient fare collection to be made as each person passes through the passageway.

Another object is to provide a coin collecting and registering apparatus in connection with a passageway control mechanism which embodies means to prevent the passage of persons through the passageway until the proper fares are deposited in the coin collecting apparatus which releases the shuttlestile barrier across the passageway.

Another object is to provide a passageway control mechanism including an oscillating type turnstile having means for looking it in two alternate positions and coin-controlled means for unlocking the turnstile.

Another object is to provide passageway control mechanism in which the payment of two fares by a single coin of the proper denomination will permit the unlocking of the barrier to permit the entrance oi two persons in succession.

A still further object is to provide a coin c01- lecting and registering mechanism in association with a passageway barrier mechanism in which the coin unlocks the barrier and causes the registration of the person upon the operation of the barrier as'the person proceeds through the passageway.

A still further object is to provide an improved 7 coin collecting apparatus for controlling a passageway barrier mechanism in which the control circuit is energized by the deposit of a coin but is de-energized at another point in the circuit before the coin passes from the coin contacts, thereby eliminating arcing, carbonizing and burning at the latter.

Other and further objects will become readily apparent from the following-description when considered in connection with the accompanyin'g drawings, illustrating an embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of passageway control mechanism made in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a partial sectional elevation along.

line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a horizontal section through the turnstile pedestal on line 4-4 of Figure 3 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Figure "5 is a partial sectional elevation on the line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a partial horizontal sectional view on liii'e 6-6 of Figure 5; V

'Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram of the coin control passageway mechanism and register made in accordance with the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a partial section on line 88 of Figure 3.

In the drawings the invention is shown as ap plied to a mechanism for controlling the passageway through which passengers may enter to board railway trains and the like. Such a passageway may be formed by side rails I and 2 which define the restricted entrance 3. Located approximately midway between'the two side rails l and 2 is a turnstile pedestal 4 to which an oscillating barrier turnstile 6 is pivoted for oscillatory movement about a vertical axis. The turnstile is adapted to be moved alternately from one position to the other for the purpose of alternately opening .and closing the two aisles of the entrance which are formed by the turnstile pedestal and the two side rails.

The turnstile 6 comprises two pie-shaped sectors 1 and 8 the apexes of which are arranged adjacent each other in the hub of the turnstile 8 as clearly indicated in the drawings. The radius of the outside portions of the sectors I and 8 is substantially equal to the distance between the pivotal mounting of the turnstile and the side rails so that when the sectors are in the alternate positions shown first in the solid line position and then the dash-line position of Figure 2. both aisles of the entrance 3 are closed. The

sectors 1 and 8 extend over an arc of more than.

degrees so that when the turnstile is in the intermediate positions it would be substantially impossible for persons to pass the sectors on either side, thereby eflectively blocking the entrance 3. Assuming that the passengers enter from the right as shown in Figures 1 and 2, it will be apparent that when the turnstile 6 is in the position shown in the solid-line that both aisles are completely closed. In utilizing the turnstile of the present invention, persons desiring to pass through the passageway will form in two lines determined by the aisles on the opposite sides of the pedestal 4. In th position shown, it will be apparent that there is a sectorial area 9 in the left-hand aisle which can accommodate a person in the standing position. Such person may unlock the turnstile by deposit ing his coin or token in the coin-collecting mechanism 20, the details of which will be more fully hereinafter explained. When the turnstile is unlocked the person in the sectorial area 9 may push on the side of the sector I rotating the tumstile to the position shown in the broken lines which permits his passage through the passageway and at the same time again closes the turnstile with the sectors 1 and 8 in the second alternate position shown in the broken lines. It will be readily apparent that the first person in the right-hand aisle will now enter the sectorial area in front of the sector 1 (in the broken-line position). This person may again unlock the turnstile by depositing the appropriate coin or token and rotate the turnstile to the original solid-line position. The electrical coin control mechanism will be described in detail hereinafter at which time a variation 01' the above will be described in which it is possible for a person in one aisle to deposit a coin of a denomination representing two fares which will permit his entrance in one side of the turnstile and the entrance oi.

another person through the opposite aisle by the pressing of a button associated with the coin conaccesse plate 13' is-prov-ided with cylindrical boresor -re- I cesses I4 which are positioned andspacedto correspond-to the two alternate positions of the turnstile 6.- An electro-magnetic actuating meansl6 isprovided- With a lockingpin H which is adapted to engage-the recesses l4 -in-the undersideoftheplate 83. A suitable compression spring- I 9 is adapted to resiliently urge the locking pin against the :lower sideof the-plate! asso that the locking pin will engage the recesses l 4- whentheyare inalignment-with the pine The pin-may. bewithdrawn from the :recesses J 4,-Lthereby= -un-..c locking the -:-turnstil'e by energizing theelectromagnetic device I 6 ma mannersconto be described The armature-f the electro-magnetic. device-to which 'the pin [1 is attached,-iis con-v, nected through a :suitable linkage iwithl a. counter l8 ofs any. suitable :commercially' available type i for the purpose ofiregistering the number of pas-V sengers passing through the turnstilel In this respect it;willibelunderstood that,- the locking pin l1 willtbe withdrawn to.unlockltheturnstile once. for :everyfare which. is deposited. and .registered on other mechanism which; will be-presently'de: scribed The electro-magnetic devices! 6 is controlled-by:- coin. control and collecting means? 9 .1 i One of: the important features ofythe invention reside'sdn the V chute of .the coin-collecting .mech'anism -wher e by it iszsubstantially foolproof against tamperin by unauthorized persons. andinthe mannerinzwhich the circuit; for controlling the locking means and for-operating the lcoinregistering meansisV-broken by. a. master; control .icircuit breakenbefore the coinsipassfrcm the coin contacts .1where the circuit was established. 1 The latter :feature-is par-- ticularly important because. it avoids arcing land oxidizine-ofthe mini-contacts and ther y i t yl redlifies or eliminates-their; deterioration.

The coin; collecting ,-;mechanismcomprises a coin-chute, of substantial rectangular-cross-section and-ihaving dimensions sufiicient to accommodate the largest accessible coin or token and has a;vertical .portion-2 {a and a *gooseneck por tion-;-2 l-b which is; inclined "with respect to the vertical portion;- The opening at the upper end oi -the verticalportionfl iais slightlysmaller than the inside dimensions of the latter -so that any; coin which might be forced in will not stick inthis part ofthe chute. As will be apparent from Figure 3 the lowen-endsof the gooseneck or in clined: portion- 2Ib-tapers gradually -so that dlfr' ferenti sized coins; or: tokens can be varrested at spaced fcontact-tpoints in the gooseneck portion. Thetverticalportion 25a -may .be made of any suitable materialgincluding conductors such as emetal but preferably the portion 2 la Tish .made of an insulating ;-material, suchas fiber-or.- plastic inuordereto insulate a plurality of coin contacts 22, 23, 24, and 25 wwhichrare adapted. to be engag red \respecti'vely, by a dime D,' penny in P and nickel -N, ori token T. The coins andl tokens are indicated invbrekenlines -merely,to. .indicatetheir, relative position at which they are... arrested ,in the, coin chute but itwillpbe apparent that only one coin will engage its ,associated cqntact'at any onetime.

A-commoncontact ZBinthe form of a plate or door which'closes the lowerpart of the coin chute under the coin. As illustrated in the drawings, this'contact 261s inltheyform of a-sliderplate which 'may'be pulled transversely of the inclined ably'of the ccni/entionalswipingicontactzty allied portion-- 2 la 01 the coin chute an-electro -mag'-n netic device 2'! which also operates mastericircuit'z-i breaking contacts- 28 which operate-.insalmanner soon to be described; The inventiom. is snot limited-to the exact type ofdoor-for releasingthes, coin and instead of having the contact 28lmoves.

sideways-"it will betapparentethat:it COHIdQbEAarK ranged on a hin'geandswing :away drain the. .bot.-;-. tom-'of the :inclined '5 portion of; the coinlchuten 'I'he"-important. thinglis-thatthe contactfifiltcanbet moved to; drops-the. coins -or.:;tokens;;.aw ay from 1. their respective upper contact ..:only.; :after gthQE-f electroemagneticdevice:Z'Lhasopenecl the. mast; circuiticontacts: 28;; Thercontactsfiazarepref inlmaster circuit breakers.

FIOmiFlEEUIQL-'Bjilll 'lVi1lZ bQ-I QBQ iZ QI... the plate a 26 must move .torthe. :risht; bywan amQnnt qu thewidthcfaha-thickness ci'zone i fia xth clined :portionrofthe chutexplu thickne sthe: coin beioreetheclattcr an mopzaw y r m.- its respective-mppenwntact,:.. h s otto is. s it--- ficienttq permi th --;mast r;. 0nt ts; 8ztoz ew rate; and :brea1;the control circuitbefore thelcoin;

Assn-table: coinerecept cle-ffifl is q rcridedt ms m diwt ly. below: the, r spectiv tact, posit n ftheflifierent inst rstckenst h s.. c e ta 1e.- is provided with suitable,,-parti-tions.;30%, which form; individual,chambersim nediatelv ,below the -c tructedi rdancew hv omm mcct c si ce this item persseiorrnsno -part, tithe invent- 7 tiOn-;;

Reier ring to Fig'urei 7, the schematic diagram, shcwineth ele tri al:circuits-throush-whicht e c in 01:1. kcnsscqntrol th lockine mechanismn for the-turnstile ,and the registering mechanism v sist rine the umbenoi.passen ersla djth individual: ;coin's ,or,= tokens is shown. It will readily appear that -the circuits to alllof. the-de p vices go; through ,theacontactsi28 of thel master, circuit breaker; previously mentioned in com1eq-. tionl-slwithi. then-operation: of, the coinchute: A. suitable zcoin; vor,- -tol :e n register is connected in a circuit whichis centnolledby the indiViduaIc ins The actuating coils! of; these. respective; counters, are iIl-SGIiGSgWi-th the actuating coil of the.electroe-,v magnetic, device; l6 @for. operatin the, locking, mechanism of the turnstile so lthatievery time one fare-sis ,re $tered-,the locking. means is ;rendered,

inoperative to (permit thepivota1 movement of vit is not intende'd that pennies be accepted this coin registering -and collecting device: Thev pennies are returned-to a sidepocket (not shown)":

Thecoin' contact 23 is connected directly 'inLseries' with the actuating coil of the electro-magneticidevice "21which controls the mastercircuit' econ-.- tacts-28 and when a penny is deposited in the coin chutethe circuit. isimmediately closed; through-the electro-magnetic device-21 which; inimediately breaks the contacts 28 without 7 fil ck ns-the turnstile but drops the penniesgom;

aninclined chute from where they move to the side pocket.

The source of power, which if desired, may be the source used to operate the trains is connected between conductor 29 which is grounded at '40, and conductor 4|. One side of all of the actuating coils for the coin and token registers are connected by a common conductor 36 through the actuating coil of the electro-magnetic device l6 and through the conductor 31 to the actuating coils of the electro-magnetic device 21 and contacts 28 to the side of the source of power represented by the conductor 41. The respective register coils 32a, 34a and 35a are connected respectively through conductors 32b, 34b and 35b, to the respective coin contacts 22, 24 and 25. When a nickel or a token'is dropped in the coin chute the locking circuit is completed through the respective coin and the respective actuating coil of its associated register which registers the coin and energizes the electro-magnetic device 16 to unlock the turnstile. In each case as previously described, the electro-magnetic device 21 opens the contacts 28 and its further continued movement opens the contact door 26 to drop the coin or token'away from its respective upper contact. As previously mentioned, when the electromagnetic device 16 is actuated it automatically registers on the register of I8.

Special provision is made for permitting the unlocking of the turnstile more than once when a coin is deposited which represents an integral multiple of the price of one fare. In particular, the dime circuit is adapted to control special relays which control another circuit in which is arranged a circuit-closing device such as a push button by which the turnstile gate may be unlocked a second time. By this arrangement it makes it convenient for two parties who are traveling together and do not have the correct change for their individual fares so that one person may deposit a dime which will register fares and unlock the turnstile once and the otherperson, preferably in the opposite aisle of the passageway, may merely press a button to unlock the turnstile a second time. To this end a relay 46 is connected in parallel through a double pole, double throw switch mechanism 41 with the actuating coil 32a of the dime register 32. In this respect the dime contact 22 is connected through conductor 48 to contact 49 of the switch 41 and contact of the switch is connected through conductor 52 to one side of the relay coil 46. The other side of this relay coil is connected through conductors 53 and. 54 to the ground side of the actuating coil of the electromagnetic device I6 which controls the lock for the turnstile. The circuit through the relay coil 46 is completed through the switch 41 by means of the switch blade 56-. The switch blade 56 is actuated by a suitable magnetic core 51. From the description of the above circuit it will be apparent that when a dime is between the contact 22 and the ground contact plate 26 the actuating coil 32a and the relay coil 46 will be energized in a parallel circuit. The relative impendances of the actuating coil 32a and the relay coil 46 are such that suflicient current will go through the relay coil 46 to pull the switch blade 56 to the right in Figure '1 to disconnect the contacts 49 and 5|, thereby opening the circuit through relay 46. Preferably the impedances of actuating coil 32a and relay coil 46 are equal and twice that of the actuating coils 34a and 35a.v

In this way the total impedances or each of the coin circuits is substantially equal.

The energization of the relay 46 moves the switch blade 56 away from contacts 49 and 51 so that it engages contacts 58 and 59 which connects one side of a restoring relay coil 62 through conductor 6| to the conductor 54 which as previously indicated is connected to the ground side of the actuating coil l6. The other end of the restoring relay coil 62 is connected through a conductor 63 to a push button switch 64, one side of which is connected to ground 46 through a conductor 66. When the switch blade 56 is engaging the contacts 5B and 59 closing of the switch 64 places the ing coil l6 which again unlocks the turnstile and permits the latter to be operated. It will bereadily understood that each time the circuit through the actuating coil 16 is energized the master circuit breaker coil 21 opens the master contacts 28 immediately after the actuating'coil l6 releases the pin I1 to unlock the turnstile so that the turnstile must be operated immediately or the locking pin l1 will return to the locking position. This feature encourages the passengers to move through the turnstile with an absolute minimum delay and thereby facilitates the handling of rush-hour trafilc.

In connection with the operation of the device, when a dime is deposited, special means is provided for closing the upper end of the coin chute so that other coins or tokens cannot be deposited until the push button 64 has been operated to unlock the turnstile the second time. This special means comprises a narrow tongue 1| which is actuated by the magnetic core 51. The tongue 1| is adapted to move in slots in the opposite sides of the coin chute and is provided with a suitable slot 12. The slot is of sufficient width to accommodate the largest token or coin. When the core 51 is in the position shown in Figures 3, 4 and 1, the slot 12 will be aligned with the coin chute so that the coin may pass through the slot. Then in the event a dime is deposited the circuit through the relay 46 will be energized in the manner previously described and the magnetic core 51 will move to the right moving the tongue 1! therewith and moving the slot out of alignment with the coin chute, thereby preventing the entrance of additional coins until the push button 64 is operated to energize the restoring relay coil 62 which will move the core 51 to its normal position.

It will be noted that the magnetic core 51 is shown as a continuous member of constant diameter extending through both the relay coils 46 and the relay restoring coil 62. It is shown this way merely for purposes of illustration and it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the magnetic core 51 in actual practice would not be continuous as shown but would be arranged in sections in such a way that the reluctance of the magnetic field of the relay coils 46 and 62 would be varied as it was moved under the influence of the energization of the two coils.

From the above description it will be apparent that this invention provides a novel coin control apparatus for controlling a turnstile for entrances to stations for transportation systems or other facilities. The arrangement is such that the turnstile can be unlocked only once for the deposition of each amount of coins or tokens representing one fare. Means is also provided for permitting the unlocking of the turnstile a number of times corresponding to an integral multiple of the amount of one fare which is represented by a single coin or token. In the form chosen to illustrate the invention, this provision is associated with the circuit controlled by a dime but it will be readily understood that the same principle may be applied to the circuits controlled by other coins or tokens.

Another important feature resides in the shape of the coin collecting chute which prevents unauthorized persons from energizing the coin controlled circuits to unlock the turnstile without depositing the appropriate coin or token.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the inventive concept. It is therefore desired that the invention not be limited except insofar as is made necessary by the prior art and by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a passageway controlling mechanism, a passageway barrier such as a gate or turnstile,

means for locking said turnstile against operation, electrical means for rendering said locking means inoperative, coin or token controlled means for rendering said locking means inoperative to permit the operation of said barrier upon the deposition of a coin or token representing a multiple of the value of one fare and including holding circuit means energized on energization of said electrical means for establishing another circuit including a manually-operable push-button switch which circuit may be energized for rendering said locking means inoperative a second time to permit operation of said barrier.

2. In a passageway controlling mechanism, a passageway barrier such as a gate or turnstile, means for locking said barrier against operation, electrical means for rendering said locking means inoperative, coin or token controlled means for rendering said locking means inoperative to permit the operation of said barrier upon the deposition of a coin or token representing a multiple of the value of one fare and including an interlocking holding circuit for establishing another circuit including a manually-operable push-button switch, which circuit may be energized'for rendering said locking means inoperative a second time to permit said operation of saidbarrier and means in said circuit for restoring said interlocking holding circuit to its normal condition.

3. In a passageway controlling mechanism, a passageway barrier such as a gate or turnstile, means for locking said barrier against operation, electrical means for rendering said locking means inoperative, coin or token controlled means for rendering said locking means inoperative to permit the operation of said barrier upon the deposition of a coin or token representing a multiple of the value of one fare and including an interlocking holding circuit for establishing another circuit including a manually-operable push-button switch, which circuit may be energized for rendering said locking means inoperative a second time to permit said operation of said barrier and means in said circuit for restoring said interlocking holding circuit to its normal condition, and means for registering the amount of money deposited and separate means for registering the number of times said locking means is made inoperative under the control of coins or tokens deposited in said coin control means.

CHARLES V. RICHEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 761,015 Spear May 24, 1904 1,107,975 Marks Aug. 18, 1914 1,172,195 Carter et al Feb. 15, 1916 1,221,268 Andreatte Apr. 3, 1917 1,724,932 Hedley Aug. 20, 1929 1,737,422 Hulme Nov. 26, 1929 1,772,468 Slawson "Aug. 12, 1930 1,810,967 Hulme June 23, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,125 Great Britain 1909 

